Side ditcher attachment for excavating machine



SIDE DITCHER ATTACHMENT FOR EXCAVATING MACHINE May 8, 1962 T. BRINSON, SR

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Q \Lou/s Terry Brinson, 5r.

m m M m. m a

May 8, 1962 T. BRINSON, SR 3,032,899

SIDE DITCHER ATTACHMENT FOR EXCAVATING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 7, 1960 Lou/s Terry Brinson, 5n 1N VENTOR.

| T. BRINSON, SR 3,032,899

5 Sheets-Sheet 3 SIDE DITCHER ATTACHMENT FOR EXCAVATING MACHINE May 8, 1962 Filed June '7, 1960 Lou/s Terry Br/'nson,$r.

INVENTOR 9 BY Wm and flame 12% May 8, 1962 T. BRINSON, SR 3,032,899

SIDE DITCHER ATTACHMENT FOR EXCAVATING MACHINE Filed June '7, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 LOU/S Terry Brinson, Sn

INVENTOR.

1 g BY M & Em

May 8, 1962 T. BRINSON, SR 3,032,899

SIDE DITCHER ATTACHMENT FOR EXCAVATING MACHINE Filed June 7, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 fi gg E b E k 4 2 T T5. Q

s 'l g Q Q Q U A T g A c Law's Terry Br/nson, 5r.

' INVENTO I Fig. 7

nitedStats atent free 3,032,899 SIDE DI'ICHER ATTACHMENT FUR EXCAVATING MACHINE Louis Terry Brinson, Sr., Gas Hills Station, R0. Box 814, Riverton, Wyo. Filed June 7, 1969, Ser. No. 34,567 20 Claims. (Cl. 3790) This invention relates to ditching or trench excavating machines specially adapted for the digging of either open ditches or those for receiving drainage tile or the like.

It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide a trench excavating machine that is readily attachable to a tractor type vehicle and is so adjustable as to be capable of digging and excavating finished openings in accordance with varying requirements and dimensions.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an excavating machine which is both attachable to a tractor type vehicle and yet independently supported by its own wheel assemblies for independent transport purposes.

An object of this invention in accordance with the foregoing object, is to provide a side ditching attachment for a tractor-type vehicle which includes a vertically disposed digging assembly having a plurality of scooping buckets connected to an endless sprocket chain, said digging assembly being supported by a frame extending laterally from the side of the tractor vehicle, said frame being laterally extensible with respect to the side of the tractor vehicle and said digging assembly being tiltably adjustable relative to its supporting frame. Accordingly, ditches of varying slope may be dug by the machine while the lateral adjustment makes the machine adaptable for different types of soil and construction work requirements such as digging closely against a bank or a cliff.

An additional object of this invention features the use of an earth conveyor mechanism which receives the earth dug by the digging assembly and transports it across the tractor vehicle to the other side thereof for delivery into a dump truck positioned adjacent thereto so that the ditch or excavation may be finished without the necessity of other machines or men for removing loose earth from the excavation. The conveyor mechanism is also adjustable for accommodating the various adjusted position-s of the digging assembly and for also adjusting the height of the delivery end of the conveyor mechanism for accommodating various size dump trucks.

In accordance with the foregoing objects, the side ditching attachment made in accordance with this invention may be mounted on any type of crawler tractor by removing the seat and fuel tank thereof and remounting the fuel tank on the hood of the tractor leaving a flat back part on the tractor mount. The lateral supporting frame for the digging assembly of the attachment may then be adjustably mounted on the flat back part of the tractor mount. The lateral supporting frame also has mounted thereon hydraulic control mechanism for laterally adjusting and angularly adjusting the frame relative to the tractor mount. At one end of the lateral supporting frame the digging assembly is pivotally connected and thereby tiltably adjusted relative to the frame by means of another hydraulic control mechanism mounted on the supporting frame. The digging assembly is also adjustable in a vertical direction by hydraulic control mechanism so as to vary the depth of excavation. Adjustably supported at the other end of the supporting frame is a vertical supporting frame assembly for the conveyor mechanism including a hydraulic control mechanism for adjusting the height of the conveyor mechanism at said other end. The conveyor mechanism is disposed parallel to the supporting frame and disposed thereabove with one end of the conveyor mechanism extending. through the upper portion of the digging assembly for receiving earth therefrom and carrying it across to its other or delivery end. A power plant is mounted on the supporting frame and is drivingly connected with the digging assembly and the conveyor mechanism for operation thereof. Also, the supporting frame is mounted on a pair of wheel assemblies which are swivelly connected to the supporting frame, one of said wheel assemblies also being laterally adjustable relative to the supporting frame while all of the wheels of the wheel assemblies are vertically adjustable. It will therefore be apparent that the excavating machine being capable of laterally adjusting its ditcher to a desired distance from the tractor, being angularly adjustable relative to the tractor, capable of tiltably adjusting the ditcher relative to its supporting frame, including a conveyor mechanism for removing the earth from the excavation which conveyor mechanism is also adjustable in height at its delivery end, and wherein the digger itself is vertically adjustable for varying the depth of the excavation, and further since the entire machine or attachment is independently supported on adjustable wheel assemblies characterizes the excavation machine made in accordance with the prin ciples of this invention with advantages heretofore not known.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a rear View of the excavating machine shown mounted in operative position in accordance with this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the arrangement shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a left side elevational view of the excavating machine as seen in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken through a plane indicated by section line 4-4 in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken through a plane indicated by section line 5--5 in FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken through a plane indicated by section line 6-6 in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken through a plane indicated by section line 77 in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view taken through a plane indicated by section line '88 in FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view taken through a plane indicated by section line 99 in FIGURE 1.

Referring to the drawing in detail, reference numeral 10 generally indicates the excavating machine made in accordance with this invention. As seen in FIGURE 1, the excavating machine 10 includes a lateral frame assembly generally indicated by reference numeral 12.. A digging assembly generally indicated by reference numeral 14 is connected to the lateral frame assembly at its right end as seen in FIGURE 1 wherein it is shown excavating a trench 16. Disposed parallel to the lateral frame assembly 12 and positioned above the frame assembly 12 is a conveyor mechanism generally indicated by reference numeral 18, the conveyor mechanism 18 extending through the upper end of the digging assembly 14 at its right end and extending laterally beyond the frame assembly 12 at its left end or delivery end which overlies the body of a dump truck 20. The lateral frame assembly 12 is adjustably connected to a crawler-type tractor vehicle 22 to thereby position the machine 1% relative to the tractor 22 through which the machine 10 is moved along as it performs its excavating functions.

The lateral frame assembly 12 includes a pair of frame members 24 and 26 as more clearly seen in FIGURE 4. The frame members 2 and 26 are interconnected at their left end as viewed in FIGURE 4 by means of a wheel assembly generally indicated by reference numeral 23 while at its other end they are interconnected by means of a digger depth adjustment member 36 which is pivotally connected to the frame members 24 and 26, by means of a bolt 32. Also, said frame members 24 and 26 are interconnected by means of a second wheel assembly generally indicated by reference numeral 34 disposed adjacent the right end of the frame assembly 12.

Referring now to FIGURES 1, 4 and 5, the adjustable connection of the frame assembly to the tractor vehicle will become apparent. As more clearly shown in FIG- URE 1, a mounting assembly 36 is secured to the flat rear portion of the tractor vehicle, the tractor seat and fuel tank having been removed therefrom. The fuel tank 38 has therefore been remounted on top of the tractor engine as more clearly seen in FIGURE 3. The mounting assembly 36 is therefore connected to the rear flat mount of the tractor by means of bolts 40 securing the side flanges 42 of the mounting assembly 36 to the sides of the tractor mount as more clearly seen in FIG- URE l. The mounting assembly 36 as more clearly seen in FIGURE includes a pair of grooves 44 and 46 which respectively slidably receive the frame members 24 and 26. A clamping plate 48 is provided on top of a mounting member 50 of the mounting assembly 36 within which the grooves 44 and 46 are located. The clamping plate 48 is provided for the purpose of securing the frame members 24 and 26 to the mounting member 56. A center pin 52 is provided for maintaining the clamping plate 48 and mounting member 50 in assembled condition on the tractor vehicle relative to the frame members 24 and 26. It will therefore be apparent that the lateral frame assembly 12 may be shifted laterally relative to the mounting assembly 36 which is secured to the tractor mount.

In order to effect lateral adjustment of the frame assembly 12, a hydraulic lateral adjusting mechanism is provided and includes a hydraulic cylinder 54 pivotally connected to the frame assembly 12 by means of a pivot connection 56 mounted at one end of the frame member 24 and a piston member 58 which is pivotally connected to an eye member 60 to the top of a washer member 62 formed on the top of the center pin 52 as more clearly seen in FIGURE 5. A pair of conduits 64 and 66 are connected to the respective ends of the hydraulic cylinder 54 in order to adjustably position the piston member 53 with respect thereto so as to laterally adjust the position of the frame assembly 12 relative to the mounting assembly 36 or the tractor vehicle to which it is secured.

Mounted adjacent the left ends of the frame assembly 12 on a mounting member 68 is a power plant 70 which .may be of any type or form such as an internal combustion engine as will more clearly be seen in FIGURES 1, 4 and 5. The power plant includes a power output shaft 72 which is connected by means of universal joint '74 to a drive shaft 76. The drive shaft 76 is rotatably supported adjacent the right end of the frame assembly 12 by means of a journal bearing assembly 78. A second universal joint 80 universally connects the drive shaft 76 to the digger drive shaft 82, said-digger drive shaft 82 being mounted on the digger depth adjustment member 30. Also, a power take-0E sprocket wheel 84 is driven by the power plant 70 as more clearly seen in FIGURE 4,' said sprocket wheel 84'driving an endless sprocket chain 86 as will be seen in FIGURES 1 and'S for purposes as will hereafter become apparent.

Referring now to FIGURES 1, 3 and 6, the adjustable mounting for the delivery end of the conveyor mechanism 18 will be described. The adjustable conveyor mounting assembly generally indicated by reference numeral 83 as shown in FIGURE 1 is disposed at the left end of the frame assembly 12 and is connected thereto and extends upwardly therefrom in a vertical position. The assembly 88 comprises a pair of vertical channel members 90 and 92 which are maintained in parallel spaced relation to each other by horizontal brace members 94 and 96 as more clearly seen in FIGURES 3, 4 and 6. The bottom of the conveyor supporting channel members 90 and 92 the interconnected by a frame member 98 to which there are connected a pair of ears 100 and 162 through which the frame assembly and excavating machine mounted thereon may be connected to a vehicle hitch for transport purposes.

Referring now to FIGURES 1 and 6, support of the conveyor mechanism 13 on the conveyor supporting frame assembly 88 will become apparent. Disposed adjacent to the upper ends of the channel members 96 and 92 are vertically aligned slots 104 and 106. A support shaft bolt 108 is thereby adjustably disposed within the slots 1%, 106, said bolt shaft 108 being connected adjacent to the delivery end of the conveyor mechanism 18 by means of horizontally disposed slots 110 disposed within the conveyor supporting frame 112 as more clearly seen in FIGURE 1. The conveyor height adjusting bolt shaft 168 is adjustably positioned within the slots 1M- and 106 by means of a yoke member 114 Which rotatably supports the bolt shaft 103, said yoke member 114 being connected to a piston rod member 116 as more clearly seen in FIGURE 6. The piston member 116 is slidably disposed within a hydraulic cylinder 118 for vertically adjusting the position of the piston member 116 and the delivery end of the conveyor mechanism 18 or the frame assembly 112 which is pivotally and adjustably connected to the yoke member 114 as hereinabove indicated. The hydraulic cylinder 118 is connected to the conveyor mounting assembly 38 by being fastened to the horizontal brace members 94 and 96 as will be seen in FIGURE 3. Fluid for controlling the position of the piston 116 within the cylinder 118 is supplied to the cylinder 11% by means of a pair of conduits 120 and 122 which are connected to a fluid supply mounted on the tractor vehicle 22 and controlled therefrom by a valve mechanism (not shown) in a manner well known in the art. The fluid conduits 66 and 68 for controlling the lateral adjustment of the frame assembly 12 are also connected to said fluid supply mounted on the tractor vehicle 22 and also similarly controlled by means of a valve mechanism (not shown) in a manner that is well-known in the art.

As previously noted the digger assembly 14 as pivotally supported by the frame assembly 12 by means of digger depth adjustment member 3% which is angularly adjusted at the right end of the frame assembly 12 about bolt 32. The digger assembly 14- is thereby vertically adjustable relative to the member 36 while the member 30 is pivotally adjustable relative to the frame assembly 12 for adjustably tilting the digger assembly. Hydraulic mechanism similar to those previously described is therefore provided for tiltably adjusting the position of the digger assembly 14 relative to the lateral frame assembly 12. Referring therefore to FIGURES l and 4, a hydraulic cylinder 124 is shown therein as being pivotally connected by means of pivot connections 126 adjacent the right end of the frame assembly 12. A piston member 128 is slidably received within the cylinder 124 and is pivotally connected to the depth adjustment member 30 by means of pivot connection 130. A pair of fluid conduits are therefore connected to either end of the hydraulic cylinder 124 in order to position the piston member 128 relative to the cylinder 124 for pivotally adjusting the adjustment member 36 relative to the frame assembly 12 about the pivot bolts 32. The fluid conduits from the cylinder 124 are connected to the fluid supply mounted within the tractor vehicle and controlled by suitable valve mechanisms therefrom as previously indicated with respect to positioning control. cylinders 54 and 113.

Referring now to FIGURE 7, it will be seen that the digger assembly 14- is shown therein mounted on a digger frame assembly which includes a vertical supporting column 132 having connected thereto an upper head portion 134 having an opening 136 therein through which the earth receiving end of the conveyor mechanism 18 extends as more clearly seen in FIGURE 8. Also, adjustably connected to the lower end of the digger supporting column 132 is a lower head member 138 while the upper and lower head members being interconnected by the column 132 and slidably receive 14%) and 142 connected to the adjustment member 34 as will be more clearly seen in FIGURES 4 and 7.

As will be seen in FIGURE 7 the upper head member 134 rotatably mounts a pair of idler sprocket wheels 146 and 148 while the lower head member 138 rotatably mounts pairs of idler sprocket wheels 150 and 152. Endless sprocket chains 154 are entrained over the sprocket wheels 146, 148, 150 and 152. Each sprocket chain 154 is also guidingly supported by the outer peripheral portion of the upper and lower head members 134 and 138 and by the guide members 141) and 142 interconnecting the upper and lower head members. In order to adjust the tension of thevsprocket chains 154, the vertical spacing between the upper and lower head members is adjustable by means of an adjusting screw 156 which is threadedly engaged within a nut member 160 fixed to the vertical supporting column 132, the screw member 158 being connected to the lower head member 138 which is slidably disposed relative to the vertical column 132 by means of recess 162 within the lower head member 138 so that the lower head member may be adjustably positioned in a vertical direction relative to the vertical column 132 so as to properly tension the sprocket chains 154.

The supporting frame assembly for the digger sprocket chain which is composed of the vertical column 132 and the upper and lower head members connected thereto as hereinabove described, is adjustably positioned in a vertical direction relative to the depth adjustment member 30 through which the digger assembly is pivotally supported from the lateral frame assembly 12. As seen in FIG- URES 4 and 7 hydraulic mechanism is provided for vertically adjusting the sprocket chain supporting column 132 relative to the adjustment member 38, said mechanism including a hydraulic cylinder 164 which is fastened to the adjustment member 30, said hydraulic mechanism also including a piston member 166 slidably disposed within the cylinder 164 and secured to the vertical column 132 by means of threaded engagement with a nut member 168 connected to the upper end of the vertical column member 132 as more clearly seen in FIGURE 8. Flexible conduits 170 and 172 are provided and connected to opposite ends of the hydraulic cylinder 164 for controlling the position of the piston member 166 relative to the cylinder 164 by fluid valve control mechanism on the tractor vehicle as hereinabove indicated with respect to the previously described hydraulic positioning control mechanism. it will therefore be apparent that the digging assembly may be adjustably positioned in a vertical direction relative to the adjustment member 31) so as to vary the depth of eX- cavation.

It will be observed that the sprocket chains 154 which are trained about the idler sprocket wheels rotatably mounted on the upper and lower head members 134 and 138, have pivotally connected thereto a plurality of scooping buckets 174. Each of the buckets 174 includes a set of digging teeth 176 on the front upper edge of the bucket and a side digging tooth 178 on each side of the bucket as will be more clearly seen in FIGURES l and 7. As viewed in FEGURE 7, the sprocket chain 154 is moved in a clockwise direction so that the buckets move downwardly on the right side thereof, the teeth 1'76 and 178 scooping or digging the earth to excavate the ditch 16 with the earth being received within the bucket 174 and being carried upwardly on the left side of the sprocket chain toward the upper end of the digging assembly. As the buckets move across the digging assembly 14 on top thereof, the earth within the bucket is dumped upon the upper portion of the belt 188 of the conveyor mechanism 18 so that the buckets are thereby unloaded upon the conveyor belts for transporting the earth to the delivery end of the conveyor mechanism.

Referring now to FIGURE 4, it will be noted that a shield plate member 182 is provided and connected between the sprocket guide members 142 on the forward side of the digging assembly 14 as indicated by the arrow in FIGURE 4. The shield plate 182 is therefore effective to protect the driving mechanism of the digging assembly from the earth being carried by the upwardly moving buckets 174 on the forward side of the digging assembly. It will also be noted that shaft supporting members 184 and 186 are fastened to the protecting shield plate 182 and rotatably journal therein the sprocket chain drive shaft 82 to which the drive sprocket wheels 188 and 190 are connected. The sprocket drive wheels 188 and 1% meshingly engage the sprocket chains 154 to which the buckets 174 are connected as hereinbefore described. Since the shield plate 182 as well as the sprocket chain guide members 148 and 142 are connected to the adjustment member 31 which in turn is adjustably connected to the sprocket supporting frame assembly, pivotal adjustment of the digging assembly 14 by tilt adjusting cylinder 124 will be accommodated as far as the drive connection of the sprocket chain drive shaft 82 is concerned because of the universal joint connection 88 of said shaft 82 to the drive shaft 76 as hereinbefore described. It will therefore be apparent that the digging assembly 14 is operatively driven from the power plant 78 for all adjusted positions of the machine.

As previously indicated, the conveyor mechanism 18 includes a belt supporting frame 112 and a belt guidingly supported thereby. The frame 112 has rotatably mounted at its earth-receiving end an idler wheel 192 about which the belt 180 is trained as will be more clearly seen in FIGURE 8. An idler wheel 194 is rotatably mounted at the delivery end of the conveyor frame 112 and is adjustably positioned thereon by means of a screw member 196 threadedly engaged with the mounting block 198 for the belt wheel 194, said screw member being connected to the mounting block 198, said screw member being threadedly engaged with a nut member 280 secured to the frame 112. The belt wheel 194 is fixed to a shaft 282 to which a sprocket wheel is connected on one side of the conveyor mechanism, said sprocket wheel being slidingly engaged with a conveyor drive sprocket chain 284 more clearly seen in FIGURE 2. The conveyor drive sprocket chain 204 is in turn drivingly connected with a sprocket wheel fixed to a second sprocket wheel about which the drive sprocket chain 86 is trained to thereby impart movement to the conveyor belt 180.

As seen in FIGURE 1, the driving sprocket chain 86 is maintained under proper tension for all adjusted positions of the conveyor mechanism by means of an automatic chain tightener mechanism which includes a lever member 286 pivotally mounted on the power plane casing, said lever member 286 being biased by means of spring 288 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG- URE 1 so that the idler sprocket wheels 210 and 212 rotatably mounted at the ends of the lever members 206 are biased into chain tensioning engagement with the sprocket chain 86.

Referring once again to the conveyor mechanism 18 itself, it will be noted that the conveyor belt 180 is guidingly supported along its length by means of a plurality of roller guide assemblies generally indicated by reference numeral 214 in FIGURE 1. Referring now to FIG- URES 6 and 8, it will be observed that each of the roller guide assemblies 214 includes a pair of inclined upper rollers 216 and 218 as more clearly seen in FIGURE 6 which are rotatably supported at their outer ends by means of shafts connected to channel members 220 and 222 which form the conveyor belt frame 116, the inclined shafts being centrally interconnected by means of members 22.4. As will be seen in FIGURE 6, the inclination of the rollers 216 and 218 are such as to form a dishshape on the upper portion of the conveyor belt 13% while a single lower roller 2% is provided for guiding the lower portion of the belt 18" it will therefore be obvious that the earth received by the upper portions of the belt 180 will be retained thereon because of the dishshape of the belt 18th arising from its guiding engagement with the inclined rollers 216 and 218.

The conveyor mechanism 18 is pivotally supported adjacent its earth receiving end by means of a pivot pin 22% which extends through the channel members 22% and 222 of the conveyor frame 116 as well as through the roller connecting member 22-24 as seen in FIGURE 8. The pivot bolt 228 is also received within the head portion 134 of the digger frame assembly to thereby pivotally support the conveyor mechanism 18 as will be more clearly seen in FIGURE 7 wherein the pivot bolt 228 is shown in dotted line extending into the upper head member 134.

Referring once again to FIGURES l, 3, 4 and 9, the wheel assemblies 28 and 34 will be described. It will be observed that the wheel assembly 28 is identical to the wheel assembly 34 except that the wheel assembly 34 is laterally adjustably positioned relative to the frame members 24 and 26 of the lateral frame assembly 12. Accordingly, the wheel assembly 34 will be described in detail, it being understood that the wheel assembly 28 is identical thereto except for its lateral adjustment relative to the frame assembly 12. It will therefore be seen that the wheel assembly includes a pair of wheels 23% which are rotatably supported by a wheel supporting member 232 which are swivelly connected to a plate 234 at either end thereof as more clearly seen in FIGURE 9. The plate 234 is spaced from an upper plate member 236 by means of spacing members 238 in which the wheel supporting members 232 are swivelly connected. The upper plate member 236 of the wheel assembly is adjustably connected to the frame members 24 and 26 by means of upstanding flanges 24f thereon which receive the frame members 2d and 26 therebetween and are connected to the flange members 24% by means of bolts 242 which extend through apertures in the flange members 242 and with one of the apertures in alignment therewith. Accordingly, the wheel assembly may be laterally adjusted along the frame members 24 and 26 by connecting the assemblies thereto through any selected aperture 242 of the plurality of apertures on the frame members 24 and 26. A center bolt member 244 clamps the wheel assembly in adjusted position by means of a top plate clamping member 246. a

As illustrated in FEGURE 9, each of the wheel assemblies may be adjustable both swivelly and vertically in height by means of a setscrew 248 through which the wheel supporting member 232 may be extended or retracted within the spacing member 238 and angularly adjusted relative thereto. It should of course be understood that other mechanism for adjustably positioning the Wheels of each of the wheel assemblies both swivelly and vertically may be used such as hydraulic piston mechanism as well as many other equivalent types of positioning control mechanism.

From the foregoing description, operation and functioning of the excavating machine will be apparent. Sum marizing, however, it will be recognized that the lateral supporting frame assembly 12 of the machine is adjustably connected to a tractor vehicle 22 and laterally positioned relative thereto by a lateral adjusting cylinder 54. The frame assembly 12 otherwise being supported by a pair of Wheel assemblies 28 and 34 with the wheel assembly 34 being laterally adjustable relative to the frame assembly 12 and all wheels being vertically adjustable so as to accommodate different heights and tractor mounts. Also a hitch connection 100 and 102 is provided at one end of the frame assembly so that it may be towed for transport purposes when disconnected from its tractor mount. It will also be recognized that the digging assembly 14 is adjustably connected for vertical depth control to an adjustment member which is pivotally connected to the frame assembly 12, said adjustment member 30 being tiltably adjusted relative to the lateral frame assembly 12 by means of tilt adjusting cylinder 124 adjusting the digging assembly 14 thereby. Also, a conveyor mechanism is provided adjustably connected at its delivery end to the frame assembly and vertically adjusted relative thereto by means of conveyor height adjusting cylinder 11% with the other or the earth receiving end of the conveyor mechanism 18 being pivotally supported by the di ging assembly at its upper end for receiving the earth from scooping buckets 174 moving over the top of the conveyor mechanism in earth unloading position. The conveyor mechanism features a dish-shaped top belt portoin which efiiciently carries the earth from the excavating bucket 1'74 across the machine to its delivery end wherein a truck 20 may be positioned thereunder for receiving the earth from the conveyor belt. It will be recognized therefore that the height adjustment at the delivery end of the conveyor mechanism 18 permits this machine to be used for different size dump trucks. From the above description it will therefore be appreciated that the excavating machine made in accordance with this invention will necessarily increase the speed of ditching, enable the digging of a ditch bank of any slope angle, eliminate the necessity of other machines or men to finish the ditch while loading the dump truck at the same time that it is digging. It will also be appreciated that the ditcher is laterally adjustable for ditching at any distance from the tractor on which it is mounted and that the machine is easily disassembled from the tractor and transportable as a trailer on its own wheels.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only ofthe principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A ditcher excavating attachment for a tractor-type vehicle comprising frame means adjustably connected to the vehicle and extending laterally therefrom for movement in a forward direction, frame adjusting means mounted on said frame means and operatively connected to the vehicle for laterally and tiltably adjusting a portion of said frame means in a plane perpendicular to said forward direction in laterally spaced relation to the vehicle, digging means operatively mounted on said portion of said frame means at one end thereof, earth conveyor means adjustably mounted on said frame means at an end thereof opposite to the location of said portion of said frame means and operatively supported by said digging means in earth receiving relation thereto, and adjustable wheel assembly means operatively connected to said frame means for supporting said frame means in any adjusted position relative to the vehicle and for independent transport of the attachment.

2. The attachment as defined in claim 1, including power means mounted on said frame means adjacent said opposite end thereof, said power means being operatively connected to said digger means and conveying means.

3. The attachment as defined in claim 2, wherein said digging means is pivotally connected to said frame means, and including digger tilt adjusting means mounted on said frame means and operatively connected to said digging means for adjustably tilting said digging means relativeto said frame means.

4. The attachment as defined in claim 3, including depth control means slidably mounted on said portionof the frame means and operatively connected to the digging means for vertically adjusting the position of the digging means relative to the frame means so as to vary the digging depth.

5. A ditcher excavating attachment for a tractor-type vehicle comprising frame means adjustably connected to the vehicle and extending laterally therefrom, frame adjusting means mounted on said frame means and operatively connected to the vehicle for laterally and tiltably adjusting a portion of said frame means relative to the vehicle in laterally spaced relation to the vehicle, digging means pivotally connected to said portion of said frame means at one end thereof, earth conveyor means adjustably mounted on said frame means at an end thereof opposite to the location of said portion of said frame means and operatively supported by said digging means in earth receiving relation thereto, adjustable wheel assembly means operatively connected to said frame means for supporting said frame means in any adjusted position relative to the vehicle and for independent transport of the attachment, power means mounted on said frame means adjacent'said opposite end thereof, said power means being operatively connected to said digger means and conveying means, digger tilt adjusting means mounted on said frame means and operatively connected to said digger means for adjustably tilting said digging means relative to said frame means, depth'control means slidably mounted on said portion of the frame means and operatively connected to the digging means for vertically adjusting the position of the digging means relative to the frame means so as to vary the digging depth, said digging means including a vertical supporting frame, adjustably connected to a depth adjusting member pivotally connected to said frame means, sprocket means rotatably mounted on said supporting frame and drivingly connected to said power means and a plurality of earthscooping bucket means connected to said sprocket means.

6. The attachment as defined in claim 5, wherein said digging means includes earth shield means disposed between said sprocket means and a forward side of said supporting frame and connected to the frame.

7. The attachment as defined in claim 6, wherein said conveyor means is disposed above said frame means, and having an earth receiving end extending through an upper end of said digging means and a delivery end extending laterally beyond said frame means.

8. The attachment as defined in claim 7 including conveyor height adjusting means mounted on said frame means and operatively connected to said conveyor means adjacent its delivery end for pivotally adjusting the conveyor means about its support on the digging means.

9. The attachment as defined in claim 8, wherein said conveyor means includes a conveyor frame mounted on the frame means, wheels rotatably mounted by said conveyor frame at the earth receiving and delivery ends of the conveyor means, an endless conveyor belt trained over said wheels, said power means being drivingly connected to one of said wheels and roller guide means mounted on said conveyor frame to guide and support said belt when it is carrying earth thereon.

10. The attachment as defined in claim 9, wherein said roller guide means includes pairs of inwardly inclined rollers supporting earth carrying portions of said belt and lower spacing rollers for guiding underside portions of the belt.

11. The attachment as defined in claim 10, wherein said wheel assembly means includes means for vertically and laterally adjusting the wheel assembly relative to the frame means.

12. The attachment as defined in claim 1 wherein said digging means is pivotally connected to said frame means, and including digger tilt adjusting means mounted on said frame means and operatively connected to said digging means for adjustably tilting said digging means relative to said frame means.

13. The attachment as defined in claim 1 which includes depth control means slidably mounted on said portion of the frame means and operatively connected to the digging means for vertically adjusting the position of the digging means relative to the frame means so as to vary the digging depth.

14. A ditcher excavating attachment for a tractor type vehicle comprising frame means adjustably connected to the vehicle and extending laterally therefrom, frame adjusting means mounted on said frame means and operatively connected to the vehicle for laterally and tiltably adjusting the portion of said frame means relative to the vehicle, in laterally spaced relation to the vehicle, digging means operatively mounted on said portion of said frame means at one end thereof, earth conveyor means adjustably mounted on said frame means at an end thereof opposite the location of. said portion of said frame means and operatively supported by said digging means in earth receiving relation thereto, adjustable wheel assembly means operatively connected to said frame means for supporting said frame means in any adjusted position relative to the vehicle and for independent transport of the attachment, said digging means including a vertical supporting frame, adjustably connected to a depth adjusting member pivotally connected to said frame means, sprocket means rotatably mounted on said supporting frame and drivingly connected to said power means and a plurality of earth-scooping bucket means connected to said sprocket means.

15. The attachment as defined in claim 14, whereinsaid digging means includes earth shield means disposed between said sprocket means and a forward side of said supporting frame and connected to the frame.

16. A ditcher excavating attachment for a tractor type vehicle comprising frame means adjustably connected to the vehicle and extending laterally therefrom, frame adjusting means mounted on said frame means and operatively connected to the vehicle for laterally and tiltably adjusting the portion of said frame means relative to the vehicle, in laterally spaced relation to the vehicle, digging means operatively mounted on said portion of said frame means at one end thereof, earth conveyor means adjustably mounted on said frame means at an end thereof opposite the location of said portion of said frame means and operatively supported by said digging means in earth receiving relation thereto, adjustable wheel assembly means operatively connected to said frame means for supporting said frame means in any adjusted position relative to the vehicle and for independent transport of the attachment, said conveyor means being disposed above said frame means, and having an earth receiving end extending through an upper end of said digging means and a delivery end extending laterally beyond said frame means.

17. A ditcher excavating attachment for a tractor type vehicle comprising frame means adjustably connected to the vehicle and extending laterally therefrom, frame adjusting means mounted on said frame means and operatively connected to the vehicle for laterally and tiltably adjusting the portion of said frame means relative to the vehicle, in laterally spaced relation to the vehicle, digging means operatively mounted on said portion of said frame means at one end thereof, earth conveyor means adjustably mounted on said frame means at an end thereof opposite the location of said portion of said frame means and operatively supported by said digging means in earth receiving relation thereto, adjustable wheel assembly means operatively connected to said frame means for supporting said frame means in any adjusted position relative to the vehicle and for independent transport of the attachment, and conveyor height adjusting means mounted on said frame means and operatively connected to said conveyor means adjacent its delivery end for pivotally adjusting the conveyor means about its support on the digging means.

18., A ditcher excavating attachment for a tractor type vehicle comprising frame means adjustably connected to the vehicle and extending laterally therefrom, frame adjusting means mounted on said frame means and operatively connected to the vehicle for laterally and tiltably adjusting the portion of said frame means relative to the vehicle, in laterally spaced relation to the vehicle, digging means operatively mounted on said portion of said frame means at one end thereof, earth conveyor means adjustably mounted on said frame means at an end thereof opposite the location of said portion of said frame means and operatively supported by said digging means in earth receiving relation thereto, adjustable wheel assembly means operatively connected to said frame means for supporting said frame means in any adjusted position relative to the vehicle and for independent transport of the attachment, said conveyor means including a conveyor frame mounted on said frame means, wheels rotatably mounted by said frame at the earth receiving and delivery ends of the conveyor means, an endless conveyor belt trained over said Wheels, said power means being drivingly connected to one of said wheels and roller guide means mounted on said conveyor frame to guide and support said belt when it is carrying earth thereon.

1 2 1.9. The. attachment as defined in claim 18, wherein said roller guide means includes pairs of inwardly inclined rollers supporting earth carrying portions of said belt and lower spacing rollers for guiding underside portions of the References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,175,174 Peterson Mar. 14, 1916 1,290,871 Bager Jan. 14, 1919 1,689,981 Vaughn Oct. 30, 1928 2,782,534 Wall Feb. 26, 1957 2,797,504 Turner et al July 2, 1957 2,857,065 Ferwerda Oct. 21, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 838,662 Germany Apr. 3, 1952 France Feb. 1, 1960 

